Call to Action - July 24, 2024 - Back to School
Greetings, Prince William -Back to School season is in full swing! Local nonprofits are working hard to prepare for the 2024-2025 school year with their Back-to-School programs! Donations of school supplies are always needed to help kids have a successful start to the school year, and volunteers are also needed to help hand out school supplies and backpacks. Here's a listing of drives; if we learn of other Back-to-School programs, we will share the information.
· Please mark your calendar for the Virginia Sales Tax Holiday August 2-4! During this period, you can purchase qualifying school supplies, clothing and footwear without paying sales tax. You can also purchase hurricane and emergency preparedness items such as batteries, lanterns, etc. without paying any sales tax. Please visit www.tax.virginia.gov/virginia-sales-tax-holiday for more information.
· If your child attends Manassas City Public Schools, you don't want to miss their Community Resource and Wellness Fair on Saturday, August 3, 8am-12pm at Osbourn High School, 1977 Eagle Way in Manassas! Learn more about the local school and community resources available to Manassas City families. Vaccines for TDAP, Meningococcal and TDP will be available for grades 7-12. School supplies and the chance to win prizes make for a terrific way to welcome the 2024-2025 school year! Please email info@mcpsva.orgfor more information.
· House of Mercy is getting ready for their Back-to-School program, and you can help kids get a successful start to the school year! All work will be done at their facility, 8154 Flannery Court, Manassas 20109. Volunteers age 12+ are needed July 29-August 2 to help organize donated shoes, get school supplies organized and help with event setup. Volunteers age 16+ welcome, volunteers age 12-15 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. You'll feel great knowing you're helping vulnerable children receive new school supplies and new shoes for the year! Please visit their Sign Up Genius page at https://bit.ly/4d0TMc8 to register.
· House of Mercy's Back-to-School 2024 event will be held August 3, 7am-5pm at their facility, 8154 Flannery Court, Manassas 20109. Volunteers age 12+ are needed to help greet clients, help clients select school supplies, load backpacks into vehicles and more! Volunteers age 16+ welcome, volunteers age 12-15 must volunteer with a parent or guardian. Think how great you'll feel as you help a needy child begin the school year with a new backpack and shiny new school supplies! Please visit their Sign Up Genius page at https://bit.ly/4d0TMc8 to register.
· Please join Prince William County Community Foundation this Saturday, July 27, 9am-12pm for a Backpack Stuffing Party! The get-together will be held at Motiv8 Church, 14654 Joplin Road, Manassas 20112, and lots of hands will be needed to assemble backpacks! It's family-friendly, and you'll feel great as you help kids begin the new school year with a new backpack filled with new school supplies! Please email info@pwccfoundation.org to sign up and ask any questions.
· Prince William County Community Foundation will be holding their Back-to-School Community Event August 3, 11am-2pm at Unity Reed High School, 8820 Rixlew Lane in Manassas. Lots of volunteers are needed for various jobs, and it's something the whole family can do! Please visit https://bit.ly/4bGaNHD to sign up, email info@pwccfoundation.org to learn more.
· Saved Hands Foundation needs volunteers to "Stuff the Backpacks" August 17, 10am-1pm. The backpacks will be assembled at VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Road, Dale City 22193. Many hands are needed; come help so children can have a successful beginning to the school year with a new backpack and new school supplies! Registration is required, please email SHFevents@yahoo.com to request a volunteer application.
· Once the backpacks are stuffed and ready, Saved Hands Foundation will hold their Free Backpack Giveaway on August 17, 1pm-3pm at VFW Post 1503, 14631 Minnieville Road, Dale City 22193. Volunteers are needed to help with distribution. You'll have fun and feel great as you see the smiles on kids as they receive their new school supplies for Back-to-School! Registration is required for the backpack distribution; please email SHFevents@yahoo.com to request a volunteer application.
If you are looking for other opportunities this summer, please don't forget to call our wonderful team at Volunteer Prince William at 703.369.5292. You can also visit our website at www.volunteerprincewilliam.org. Thanks so much for all you do in our community.